Have December LTER Winners Been Announced?

Am I a sore loser this month? Or have December awards not been processed as of yet?

I haven't heard anything yet, so I'm guessing there hasn't been an announcement. Generally, you will get a message in your profile regardless of whether you snag a book.

It's still just a few days into January, so I wouldn't worry yet. And with the holidays and Abby having just had a baby, things might be delayed.

Thanks Gwen!

I guess I am just over anxious to see if I will get another book. This is probably in direct correlation to the excess time I had off from work over the holidays. While I was taking a long winters nap and dreaming of new books, our star-studded LT hosts were having nightmares about assigning LTER books.

Hopefully they were actually getting some well deserved rest, like I got.

I just got the "sorry" message. Guess the "winners" will be notified soon.

Same here. The thing is that I can't remember what I requested, so I'm not too broken up.

Bookmarque, I'm starting to think that's the way to go. I requested books at the beginning of December and then got caught up in the holidays so now I don't remember what I requested!

I just got a "sorry", but it was just for the bonus batch. D'you think we're being notified separately for the regular and bonus batches (as has been the case in the past)?

I totally forgot about the Bonus batch. I just saw "Sorry" and "Early Reviewers" and deleted the message so now I can't check which one it was.

I just got the sorry for the bonus batch as well, but I don't think I requested from the bonus batch.

Same here. I didn't request a book from the bonus batch but got the "sorry" message. I did request one book from the regular batch but have yet to hear from that one.

I don't remember the bonus batch... hmm.

It was added in with the other books but they did say they'd pick winners separately

Does the message specify that it's for the *December* bonus batch? Sometimes Abby just forgets to change the message that was sent out the previous time.

Just checked and mine says

"This is a note to tell you that you didn't manage to snag an Early Reviewers book from the December bonus batch. Don't despair, the next batch will be up shortly!"

So I guess the regular batch is still up for grabs.

I didn't do the bonus batch but got the same message so think that is that--nothing, as always, oh well, ...I also think that is why the list has been down as they figured who got books and to put up the new one soon.

Not sure where these messages show up... but I don't have one anywhere that I can think to look. 0.o

*twitch*

Trying /VERY/ hard not to get my hopes up. :)

I was thinking I might have made it, then I got rejected. Rejects are first this time so the longer you wait the better your chances are...

I didn't get one oh well, better luck next time. #17 you will receive a comment on your profile page. Plus you will get a message on the right hand side saying 'you have new comments'. I hope that helps you in finding your comments...

#19: That's about what I thought. So far so good. *crosses fingers*

Hunh. I just got my note saying I didn't get a book from the "December Bonus Batch". But then, I didn't request the bonus book(s)...

I didn't request a bonus batch either. Maybe it's just a goof and it's supposed to be telling me that I didn't get the December request. If so, at least I managed a book for the last two months. There was only one I was interested in for December, I may have to wait for others to review and see if it's worth picking up.

Actually, there's a chance I did request the bonus...the holiday rush makes the past so hazy...

Darn. :)

Just got my 'sorry' message, for the bonus batch, which I /did/ request, so there's still the main batch to go.

I think they are confused. The Early Reviewer pages are down.

I got the reject, but it was for the Bonus Batch, which not only didn't I request, but I never saw.

They had a link to the bonus batch, but it just took you to the closed regular December batch.

They integrated the bonus book into the regular batch.

25: Bonus batch was a copy of Canterbury tales, which was listed by number of copies instead of the top. Nice for those who noticed, but they should have created an anchor for the home page link.

I got a note that I didn't receive the Bonus batch, but I don't remember asking for Canterbury Tales, so it may be an error.

No book for me!

I wonder if new mommy Abby got some help with the ER messages this month? Maybe that is why the bonus batch notice is going to those of us that didn't request anything from the bonus batch?

I've never requested anything from past bonus batches, but I always get the "sorry" message anyway. So it may not necessarily be a mistake.

I just got a "sorry" message, but I really can't remember if I requested one from the December batch or not. It's been a while! :)

Thought I was out of luck when I got the sorry message, but that was only for the bonus batch; for the regular one I am getting The Widows of Eastwick - not entirely surprising given my 33 books tagged witches/wizards, LOL ;)

Yay!

After about six months with no books, I'm in luck! I'm getting The Agency by Ally O'Brien. A nice post-holiday surprise!

Getting Naked Again by Judith Sills

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you, Early Reviewers.

I got Fool this month, by Christopher Moore.

I'm getting Shunned by Arthur L. Ford

I will be getting Dating Jesus by Susan Campbell. Yay!

I haven't gotten anything since the summer, so I'm thrilled that I'm getting Boston Curiosities by Ted Clarke! That was one of the ones I wanted most, and Boston is one of my favorite places. Many thanks!

I got a "sorry no book" comment for the bonus batch and then another comment saying I snagged A Gentle Rain by Deborah Smith.

I'm going to be getting Elisha's Bones - the book that is, I don't expect a package of bones. ;)

*Yay!*

I am getting Jailbait Zombie by Mario Acevedo. This is my first ER book. I thought I'd be waiting months and months to get a match so was pleasatly surprised to get the notice tonight. :)

I'm getting The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson. I am SO excited!!

I've snagged Finding Creatures and Other Stories. I've received an ER book every other month since I joined in July. Not bad!

touchstones not working

Well surprise to me I am getting The Addict by Michael Stein. I love books like this. I know I will be reading this book as soon as I receive it.

I snagged The Reason for Crows by Diane Glancy, probably because I own Beautiful Losers by Leonard Cohen, also related to Kateri Tekakwitha, plus several other works of Native American fiction & nonfiction. My first ER book since signing up in October - not bad!

I am so excited that I got picked for North Korea Kidnapped My Daughter. It's such a heartbreaking story, and I'm so interested to read what this mother has to say in her book.

I first got a message saying I did not get anything and I was like that is all right because I still have to finish 2 and a half ER books plus this extra one they sent me one time. I thought that my 6 month streak of getting a book was pretty good so I was all right. Then I checked back later and realized the comment was for the bonus batch and I had gotten a book (The Bishop's Daughter) and I was like awesome! So, that is a 7 month streak of getting an ER book and I really have no clue why I keep getting chosen since I have only reviewed 2 and read about 4. The LT gods must just like me.

I think I should start saving all the "sorry you didn't win" messages. I think I'm on what? 12 now? Ah well. I'll keep trying. :)

I got a "sorry" message earlier today, which didn't bother me too much as I've been very fortunate lately, although the one book I requested, The Sharing Knife, Volume 4: Horizon by Lois McMaster Bujold, is one I REALLY wanted. LMB is my favourite author in the world.

However, just now I found another message on my profile saying that I HAD won a copy of Horizon. Hooray!!! Thank you LibraryThing Early Reviewers!

I got The Hero of Ages, too! So stoked!

I think the notifications about the bonus batch were errors...at the bottom of my notification, there was a P.S.:
"P.S. If you received a similar email/comment stating you won the same title w/ but the batch name was 'December bonus' it was sent in error and the information in this message is the corrected one."

Ok, just got a new message saying that the earlier message was sent in error. I snagged Busted Flush which I remember requesting. Hoorah for free books!

I got both a message for the the bonus batch and the regular batch. i didnt get anything.

i always strike out on the early reviewers. is there something they look for when choosing who gets a copy or is it random? i seem to always rejected, what can i do to improve my chances????

I got a "sorry no book" comment for the bonus batch.
Then another comment saying I snagged A Gentle Rain by Deborah Smith.
Yeah, I haven't gotten a book in about 3 months so this will be a treat.

>53 Leeny182:,
They are trying to match the books to the best reviewer and that is done partly by seeing who has other, similar books. Because you don't have a very high number of books in your library, there'snot as much to match to.

Everything you every wanted to know about the December LTER batches:

December bonus batch/regular batch clarifications

-Mike (mike@librarything.com)

>53 Leeny182:

Keep trying because there are MANY factors involved. I can't say too much about what's in the 'secret sauce' but I will say we up your odds the more you participate.

-Mike (mike@librarything.com)

"we up your odds the more you participate"

Really? I must just have really really really bad luck then!
Most of the books in my library are not in English and I am wondering if that is preventing the algorithm from seeing that I may be a good match for a book.

I will be getting Super in the City. It sounds like an adult Harriet the Spy, my favorite book of all time.

Thank you LT, I can't wait!

No books for me this month. Gives me time to read more books from my TBR pile.

Although it would have been nice to read the new Wild Card novels (I have a collection).

So glad to hear that you only reviewed 2 and read about 4. I was whining about never getting chosen on another thread and got told off that I only had one comment or such. I have bunches of reviews so I think my comment on bad luck was quite appropriate. And lo and behold, my luck changed as I just got news I got a book after all. So go figure my friends!? Happy reading!

Kanellio, I got a book on I think my second try, and then didn't get any for quite a while. Now I've gotten three in a row. It's all magic and patience!

Also, I don't think the number of reviews you have posted for non-ER books counts (although I'm not sure), so even if you have reviewed all the books in your library, you're not necessarily in a better position. It does matter that you review the ER books that you have received before.

I got the no on the bonus batch, but was quite excited to come back and find a message that I'm getting Serendipity by Louise Shaffer.

Score! Hero of ages, by Brandon Sanderson. I'm thrilled. He's a local author, and I've got the first two signed. :)

I was hoping for the Kentucky book, as I have half a dozen books tagged KY, but alas...nothing again.

I got Whisper to the Blood: A Kate Shugak Novel by Dana Stabenow. Have read some of her shorts in anthologies and I can't wait. Thanks, Mike!

I just found out I'm getting my first ER book! Yay! It's The Barfighter by Ivan G. Goldman...

Got notice: nothing for me.

Nothing for me either.

Got a notice saying I hadn't won anything, then another to say I had won The Agency by Ally O'Brien, I'm well chuffed! My first ever time of entering too :D

I'm getting The Widows of Eastwick by John Updike - I'm excited to get it, but my first choice would have been Bujold's Sharing Knife: Horizon. I'll just have to wait for that one until either my library gets it, or the paperback comes out.

I was reeaallly hoping for a copy of Firmin. No such luck. Oh, well...let's try the next batch.

Nothing for me again!

I thought for sure I had a chance with The Addict or some chick as my library is about 70% non fiction and of those, most are about addiction and recovery and the rest are literally all chick lit.

So frankly, If I did not quality to get any of those books - I don't see that I will be getting any other books in the future.

I know the "algo" is a mystery and all that, but I am starting to think that I should not bother even trying for the books and just stick around for the community of people.

ER reminds me of the beginnings of Ebay - way back in the late 90's - it was so much fun selling and buying on Ebay - there were just enough people registered that there was a good chance of both buying and selling things and either making a good deal on something you bought or selling something and making a decent profit. But then, everybody got on the band wagon and it got so big that the good deals became fewer and fewer and selling something became impossible because all of a sudden there was 10 of the same thing being offered at a starting price of .01 cent.

I have been in ER for almost a year now and in the beginning there were a lot less people and I would snag a book once in a while - but since September, I haven't been able to get anything - I think this ride is getting a little too crowded for me.

I got The Perfect Scent by Chandler Burr.

I've got the same issue as a few readers. A message saying that I didn't snatch any books then one saying I got A Gentle Rain by Deborah Smith.

Same here — a message I wasn't getting anything, then a message that I got The Cross by Arthur Blessit. Ignore the touchstone; it's for a Patterson book.

I'm just a little concerned that I haven't received Pinocchio from November's batch in the mail yet... and there have been a slew of new reviews on it.

Same here too - a message I wasn't getting anything, then a message that I got Hard Stop by Chris Knopf. I am excited can't wait to start reading.

Nada for me this month, though I hadn't picked many since I was still disappointed over November (or was it October?).

I got the 'no book December bonus batch' message. But today I got a message that I did get a book. The Perfect Scent by Chandler Burr.

I got a didn't / did message combo ... really hoping it's a 'yes', because I got Vilnius Poker by Ricardas Gavelis :)

I take it back, I did get an ER book, just not the bonus batch one. Oddly, the one I snagged I don't actually remember requesting although I must have, President Obama: Election 2008 in Newspaper Front Pages.

Sometimes I like to request books that are a lot different than what I usually read. This will be interesting to read and review since I didn't really follow the campaign.

Re-posting this because so many people are reporting that they got two LTER notification comments for December. One was for the bonus batch and one for the 'regular' December batch. More info:

December bonus batch/regular batch clarifications

-Mike (mike@librarything.com)

I got Beverly Jenkins' Bring On The Blessings -- and, honestly, I don't remember requestiing that one, either! Although, like Jenson_AKA_DL, I must have. I'll look forward to receiving it and checking it out!

I picked up Inside Straight: A Wild Cards Novel It's my first Wild Cards book, I'm looking forward to checking it out.

Nothing for me this month - that's okay, I'm still waiting to receive my last two ER books.

Yet again I've gotten lucky; I'm getting Serendipity.

Right after this thread took of I got the No on the bonus batch. This morning I got the no-no on the regular batch. I guess I will have to wait until the January batch is available!!

#81> Ooh, the Obama book was the other one I really wanted, after Boston Curiosities. I'm excited to read and review BC, but I'll definitely be picking up yours down the line, too. I hope you enjoy it!

no luck this time, but it's my first try.

57>

I will say we up your odds the more you participate.

Really? That explains a lot, then, and will radically change my strategy. Up until now I've been sitting out a decent fraction of the time, since there wasn't anything that reached the "drop everything and move it to the top of the stack" list -- but if requesting things that I could maybe be persuaded to skim and write a half-hearted review of will up my chances of getting something I really want the next time around, maybe I'll start doing so! The trick is to request something I don't think I'll actually *get* but would probably still enjoy in the months when there's nothing I really really want, I guess.

I snagged Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys. I am really excited for this since I have one lone boy and four girls.

I just found out I've got Mother Teresa's Secret Fire - my first Early Reviewers book so I'm really excited! Thank you Library Thing!!!

I snagged The Agency by Ally O'Brien.

Nothing again since Feb. This is the first month I've been really disappointed as I would have loved The Sonnets :(

Nothing for me either. Somehow it was worse getting TWO you didn’t snag anything messages at the same time. Oh well. Some of the ones for next month look good. Maybe I’ll get lucky.

I'm getting Getting Naked Again. Don't know if I'm ready for this. Probably not. Taking me out of my comfort zone is probably a good thing.

#95: Where are you seeing the ones for next month?

You have to go through the back door to see 6 of them. Click on the Early Reviewer's Library and you'll get to see them.

I'm not the only one who can't access ER the conventional way, right?

>98 DanaJean:,
I haven't checked again, but last I looked it was still down. They don't all go up on that page until after they've all been loaded into the library anyway.

#98: Ahha. Thanks. :) I've added them to my watchlist now.

>97 utoxin::

Utoxin, you could add the Early Reviewer's library to your "Interesting Libraries" list - that way books added will show up in your connections.

I didn't get anything from the Bonus Batch, but I snagged a copy of The Disappearance from the regular batch!

98: you can see all 35 if you go to his library and look at the January 09 tag:
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/EarlyReviewers&tag=January%2B09

Thanks gwernin, I'll check them all out.

Utoxin, you could add the Early Reviewer's library to your "Interesting Libraries" list - that way books added will show up in your connections.

My connections are not showing. It says temporarily disabled due to server load (didn't they just get new servers) ? Are others getting connections on their home page ? Is there any word on how long it will be down ? I really like to see new books and ratings and reviews from my connections.

Oooh, the Darwin book looks interesting. Too bad there's no way to tell the Algorithm that I've been entering Darwin's library for the Legacy Libraries project -- that should certainly count in my favor!

Wow, there are some big names there--Ruth Rendell and Jacqueline Winspear.

I got my first book! Never Tell a Lie by Hallie Ephront

How do I add ER library to my interesting libraries list?

109> Go to EarlyReviewers' library here, and at the top right hand side of the page there's a yellow plus sign labelled "Add to Interesting Libraries". Just click that and you're good to go!

I have been honored to receive a copy of Hard Stop by Chris Knopf. I look forward to reading it.

Still waiting for November's book, Joker One, to arrive. Won't actually be published until Spring so I guess the Publisher is taking their time. Hard Stop also won't be published until May, so I assume I won't be receiving that until much later as well.

This program is too cool, I appreciate all the hard work LibraryThing does. I tip my hat to you guys.

Everyone is getting all these wonderful books, and I'm still waiting to be able to request one. So far the only book available in Austria was one I had absolutely no interest in reading. Well, maybe next month.

I got Fool by Christopher Moore. I'm so excited!

>105 FicusFan::

FicusFan, I don't get connections on my homepage as I took that off when I customised my page. I prefer to click the connections link and that seems to work for me.

The Cross: 38,102 miles. 38 years. 1 mission. by Arthur Blessitt looks like it could be an interesting read. Now its the waiting for it to be delivered :)

I'll be getting Blown Coverage by Jason Elam and Steve Yohn

I got Pain Killers: A Novel and I don't even remember what it's about. Should be interesting when it shows up.

Oh wow, a few for January DO look good! Can't wait to read the full list!

I just got my notice that I snagged a December book; looks life a fun one - A Dangerous Affair. I'm excited, as it's been a few months since I've been a winner! Looking forward to seeing the Jan. books when the Early Reviewer page is restored.

110: Thanks so much!

114: Moomin_Mama

FicusFan, I don't get connections on my homepage as I took that off when I customised my page. I prefer to click the connections link and that seems to work for me.

Thanks Moomin_Mama. I did check out the new books on the connections link, I just prefer it on my home page. It also is all (including 50 closest - which I don't want), or you have to click friends, and interesting libraries separately.

But it seems to be back now, so I am happy.

I snagged Silence by Christopher Brookhouse but I have not received the November selection I was picked for, The Highly Intuitive Child A Guide to Understanding and Parenting Unusually Sensitive and Empathic C by Catherine Crawford MFT. Has anyone else received it yet?

I'm getting my first ER book - Blown Coverage by Jason Elam and Steve Yohn.

And, first time I can honestly link a football message on LT:
Go Eagles! Go Steelers! (I'm yearning for a Turnpike Superbowl....)

# 123 Congrats on snagging your first ER book.

I also agree about the Turnpike Superbowl!!!

Must disagree with the Turnpike Superbowl.

Ravens VS the Cardinals, hope the Cardinals win it all. They are the only one in the mix I don't hate (hate the Ravens least in the AFC).

Go Pats (next year of course) !

Not to completely turn this post off topic...but I am a Charger fan, so go Charger's! As for the topic at hand, I didn't take home anything this month. Hopefully that's the only defeat I'll be conceding today.

Football? what is that????? its not even a real sport - now hockey!! that is a real sport, of course, I live in "the" hockey town so...

Sorry, off topic! Can someone tell me what they think of my new theory.

Since there are so many people applying for the same books - isn't LT now becoming more of a contest?

I mean let's say there are 20 copies and 700 people applying for it and assuming that 100 of those 700 have the 'best suited' library - does it not then become a contest as to who will get the 20 books among those 100 people?

127:

Not really a contest, but with more people joining there will be a smaller proportion of those applying getting books. Personally that doesn't bother me, as it was never guaranteed I'd get a book a month, and that hasn't changed.

With more people applying, publishers and their books are getting more exposure, so it's a good thing for the publishers. Not so good for us BUT it's all fair as the rules haven't changed, just the popularity.

I have to agree with number 128. I don't think it is a contest at all. I like seeing more people applying to try and get books. Even if I don't get one I look forward to reading the reviews of those that do win a book.

I did get lucky this time and won The Addict by Micheal Stein.

Now off topic, The Steelers and Eagles both won yesterday so our hope for a Turnpike Superbowl are still alive.

modified because the touchstones didn't seem to work for me this time...

Received my copy of Hard Stop By Chris Knopf - on Jan 23, 2009 - Looking forward to starting it very soon.

</i> Tried to close the italics tag. Apparently didn't work.

</i> but it's all so very very exciting ....

Has anyone received Fool by Christopher Moore yet?